If you are organising an event to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, we encourage you to share your activities with us and everyone in your country. If you wish to see the information below in your official language, please send us a translation (.doc or .pdf) at iyb2010@cbd.int.

If you have videos and photos of your celebrations of the International Year of Biodiversity, please send them to us!

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

National Celebrations

biodiversityislife.netOn www.biodiversityislife.net you will find information about the International Year of Biodiversity programme across the UK. The website has a searchable database for events throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Biodiversity meets the YouTube generation with tve’s call for commissionstve is launching its second major environmental film initiative biomovies for YouTube filmmakers and animators. It’s a film competition that offers them a say on the world’s vanishing biodiversity. Watch on Youtube

Tayside Biodiversity Festival There are around 140 events planned across the Scottish Perth & Kinross, Dundee and Angus regions for the Tayside Biodiversity Festival throughout May.

Natural History MuseumUnder the coordination of the Natural History Museum, 190 organizations have signed up to the national campaign and are organising activities including talks, exhibitions, public dialogues, artwork, citizen science experiments encompassing science and the arts.

IYB meets elephant parade

The T-Shirt for the May22 ‘IYB meets elephant parade’ – 500 of these were printed to be worn by the artists who painted the 260 elephants which are being auctioned for Asian Elephant conservation. On biodiversity day the 260 elephants - put in streets and parks across London - were visited by their makers wearing these t-shirts to celebrate the day and to promote conservation activity.

I NHM Youth Summit on Biodiversity delegates bag. This summit for 200 a-level school children is organised by the Natural History Museum, London. It looks at the issues of the year from the basics of what biodiversity is, to the issues around its value and how we can make a difference.

Search for SpeciesThrough this search you can look for information on all birds of the world. You can find information on a particular species or sets of species by specifying a number of different search criteria. You can select species by either picking a family (listed in taxonomic order), entering free text for a genus, species or common name Go to the website.

Lords debate on biodiversity28 July 2010During the Lords debate, Baroness Miller asked the government what steps they were taking to reduce the decline in biodiversity. The Lord Bishop of Blackburn responded to her query by iterating the importance of maintaining the biodiversity in the region and he also discussed the measures churches are taking to preserve the environment.

For instance, many church courtyards have turned into wildlife sanctuaries with over 100 species of wild flowers being identified at St. Peter & St. Paul with St. Andrew’s church in Bedfordshire. Also churches across England have taken initiatives to get youth involved in preserving the greenery in the area. St. Christopher’s Church of England High School held a very successful ecofair which raised awareness about the importance of biodiversity. The church hopes to get as many children as possible involved in the biodiversity preservation movement since they are the ones that can truly insight change in the future. Read the details.

ADCXXADCXX is seeking to bring people, organisations and the community together to record and document the Fossdyke Canal in Lincoln UK. This is a multidisciplinary Arts, History, Science, Archaeological and Ecology project on what is thought to be the oldest canal in the UK.

Winners of Biodiversity Competition AnnouncedThe winners of the International Year of Biodiversity Competition were announced this week. Alice Grey from Port Ellen Primary School on the Isle of Islay in Scotland took the top prize for primary school entries, while Shannon Church, Imogen Hale and Katie Lipscombe from St Johns School in Marlborough won the secondary school category. The competition, organised by UNESCO Associated Schools in the UK to celebrate the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, attracted 114 entries from across the UK.

Past events

Wales20-22 May 2010, this celebration is part of a free, three-day public event at National Museum Cardiff, arranged by a partnership of organisations from across Wales, who are active in preserving biodiversity. Meet BBC wildlife presenter Rhys Jones and his reptile friends and go behind the scenes at the Museum to mark International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May). Please RSVP by 14 May 2010 through emailing rsvp@amgueddfacymru.ac.uk or phone: +44-29-2057-3328. More information.

22 May 2010, the Perth Youth Theatre Collective's eco-play "The Tree" will be celebrating the International Day for Biodiversity on 22nd May - the play is to be staged at both the Birnam Oak (of Shakespeare's fame) and the Fortingall Yew - the oldest living thing in Europe - at c5,000 years old (page 18 of the programme).

22 May 2010, Cairngorms BigBioBuzz DayGrantown-on-Spey, Kingussie, Ballater in the Cairngorms National Park Three simultaneous 24 hour events are being run by the Cairngorms Local Biodiversity Action Plan in Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie and Ballater to celebrate International Year of Biodiversity. The events are aimed at getting as many people as possible involved in biodiversity related activities in a 24 hour period! The goal is to collect as much information on the biodiversity in the different localities as possible. Each location will have a designated headquarters that will include other attractions such as story telling, puppet shows, green wood working, nature games, crafts, building wildlife boxes and bushcraft. This is likely to be the largest wildlife recording event ever in Scotland and will highlight the fantastic diversity of wildlife on peoples doorsteps in the Cairngorms National Park.

Events will be happening from before dawn on the 22nd May right through to late that evening. All the events are free – although some pre-booking of activities is required. For more information visit the website or call Stephen Corcoran on 01479 870 528 or stephencorcoran@cairngorms.co.uk.

The Case of the Deviant ToadWork by Brandon Ballengée - In this the International Year of Biodiversity, Ballengée's artistic practice warns of high incidences of amphibian deformity in response to environmental degradation through his creation of aesthetically rich images and intriguing installations.

Partners

A Table From The Sea's Edge is an art project, devised by Silas Birtwistle to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote conservation of the world's coastal and marine biodiversity as a contribution to the UN International Year of Biological Diversity, 2010.

The project aims to embody the rich biodiversity of nature by crafting a large conference table surrounded by twelve chairs, made entirely from beautiful examples of driftwood - collected from four key hotspots around the world. It is a dramatic statement on the environment, uniting different cultures and coastal communities, connecting land with sea, and symbolizing the boundary between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, making connections between man's land-based activities and the marine and coastal environment.

ARKive is a unique global initiative, gathering together the very best films and photographs of the world's endangered species into one centralised digital library, to create a stunning audio-visual record of life on Earth. ARKive's current priority is to complete audio-visual profiles for those species at most risk of extinction according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Throughout the year, as part of our ‘Most Wanted' challenge, ARKive aims to highlight the plight of the world’s threatened species by tracking down imagery for 17,000 of the most endangered animals and plants. Here is a small selection of ARKive species which play a role in improving human well-being.

BioNET is probably the most comprehensive network" for taxonomy (CBD decision VI/8) with a Secretariat hosted by CABI, an international not-for-profit organisation, and with ten locally managed, government-endorsed regional partnerships encompassing institutions in over 100 countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania, the Caribbean and Latin America. BioNET's Mission is to "enhance human well-being and biodiversity conservation by building capacity to discover, name and classify the world's living organisms

Biosphere Expeditions is an award-winning, non-profit-making organisation offering hands-on conservation volunteer work expeditions as an adventure with a purpose for everyone. We bridge the gap between scientists at the forefront of conservation work in need of funds and helpers, and enthusiastic laypeople, who in their holiday time, through their hands-on assistance and with their expedition contribution want to support them.

In 2010 Biosphere Expeditions will be running over a dozen wildlife conservation expeditions around the world, conducting biodiversity research, working with local people, building capacity and running conservation programmes.

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is a plant conservation charity based in London, England. It is a membership organisation, working with 800 botanic gardens in 118 countries, whose combined work forms the world's largest plant conservation network. This site has been developed in conjunction with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the International Plant Exchange Network (IPEN) and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). It contains, among others, information on how to develop an ABS policy, reference to the Principles on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing for Participating Institutions developed by a number of botanic gardens and herbaria, as well as some case studies.

We inspire 300,000 people to look after more than 50,000 places. BTCV has made a significant impact on the UK and International environment and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. We tackle biodiversity loss by helping to conserve rare and declining species, not only in protected areas and reserves but across the whole range of habitats. We also help to create more green spaces where common plants, birds and animals can thrive. BTCV, a registered charity, is committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity. BTCV’s work includes regular conservation tasks across the UK but also embraces UK & International Conservation Holidays, BTCV Green Gym, training, from practical skills like hedgelaying to NVQs in Environmental Conservation and helping unemployed people get back into work. The charity also has an online shop, including native trees and plants, conservation handbooks and tools.

CEMEX work in partnership with conservation organisations to share expertise and improve the way we manage biodiversity. In December 2007, we signed a ten-year agreement with BirdLife International, the largest network of independent conservation organizations in the world. We are aiming to conserve and enhance biodiversity within all activities of our business.

COMplus is a diverse global alliance of organisations committed to bringing sustainable development closer to the people through inspiring and innovative communication approaches. Building on an integral social, environmental and economic vision of development, COMplus offers a communications platform to share diverse new ideas, and expertise among global decision makers, journalists and communicators.

CSV Action Earth is a campaign co-ordinated by the national charity CSV Environment (Community Service Volunteers). The purpose of the campaign is to enable people in the UK to take part in practical conservation projects and empower them to improve quality of life for themselves, their communities and future generations. Over the years, Action Earth has built a strong following, with the numbers of those wishing to take part increasing each year. The campaign has now become part of people’s environmental calendar, with many planning their events well before the start of the campaign.

Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profit organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth's future. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch supports scientific field research by offering volunteers the opportunity to join research teams around the world. This unique model is creating a systematic change in how the public views science and its role in environmental sustainability. Our vision is a world in which we live within our means and in balance with nature.

As one of the world’s largest private funders of scientific research, our research program involves a global community of leading researchers, conservation volunteers, NGOs and businesses. We’re dedicated to creating an environmental legacy through scientific research projects, educational programs and engaging people in field research. Our project results are published in hundreds of journals worldwide and shared with partner organizations, government agencies, and policy-makers.

Business Consultancy arm of the EUROPARC Federation. Specialists in the policy and practiceof protected-area management. Offering a range of services, from one-off projects to ambitious on-going programmes. Clients: national parks, AONBs, nature parks and other protected areas; governments; NGOs to European funding bodies.

Work previously undertaken includes:

advising governments on systems, structures and designations for protected areas;

F&C is a global leader within responsible investing since the launch of the Stewardship ethical funds in 1984. We are one of the world’s leading providers of engagement services engaging companies worldwide. We use our influence as one of Europe's largest shareholders to promote the adoption of better environmental practices, with a dedicated engagement programme on ecosystem services, which we launched in 2002. We invest in environmental solutions, including through our specialist funds: the Stewardship range of funds, Global Climate Opportunities Fund and an Emerging Markets Sustainability strategy. Our recent publications have included Biofuels and Sustainability (2008) and Sustainable Mining: Oxymoron or New Reality? (2009).

FFI protects threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. Operating in more than 40 countries worldwide – mainly in the developing world – FFI saves species from extinction and habitats from destruction, while improving the livelihoods of local people. Founded in 1903, FFI is the world’s longest established international conservation body and a registered charity. Fauna & Flora International is the world's longest established international conservation body, founded 100 years ago. Renowned for its science-based approach, FFI has pioneered sustainable conservation work that tackles problems holistically, providing solutions that simultaneously help wildlife, humans and the environment.<p>FFI acts to conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and compatible with human needs FFI protects threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. Operating in more than 40 countries worldwide – mainly in the developing world – FFI saves species from extinction and habitats from destruction, while improving the livelihoods of local people. Founded in 1903, FFI is the world’s longest established international conservation body and a registered charity.

GardenAfrica engages with scientific and institutional partners in the UK to develop partnerships with practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa towards the promotion of agro-ecological principles and the establishment of sustainable plant-based livelihoods. GardenAfrica is committed to the principles of the CBD to stem the rate of species and habitat loss, compounded by changing climate, and will launch an urgent call to action amongst its constituents during 2010 to highlight the need to protect the essential goods and services provided by biodiversity.

Gold Mercury International is an independent global think-tank founded in 1961. Our Global Governance Model™ is a uniquely flexible framework to organize world complexity within 8 major global areas. The model combines public and private approaches to generating policy debate and new thinking in the context of Global Governance and Visionary Leadership. Since our founding in 1961, our commitment to the promotion of peace and dialogue through trade, cooperation and sustainable practices has captured the attention of statesmen, companies, the media and public opinion worldwide. The prestigious Gold Mercury Awards for Visionary Leadership exemplify ethical, forward-looking and sustainable decision-making.

The Grasslands Trust is a dynamic young charity working to address the crisis facing our wildflower rich grasslands. Our vision is that one day everyone in the UK will live near to this beautiful habitat. We aim to secure the future of valuable grassland sites; restore degraded grasslands to their former glory; give advice about grassland creation and management; campaign for improved policy mechanisms to protect grasslands; and raise awareness of the value and vulnerability of grasslands.

As part of our 2010 activities we will be running a publicity campaign with Natural England to promote the importance and beauty of our magnificent meadows.

The biology and geology collections in our care have three specific functions:

To provide specimens which can be used as an aid to inform people about important issues relating to the biodiversity and geological history of Hampshire and the complex biological and geological processes involved

To provide evidence for the biodiversity and geological history of Hampshire

To provide reference material for scientific research and training

If you have any questions about the collections or natural sciences library, wish to visit them or have a collection or specimens you would like to donate, please click here to contact the Museum Services.

Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership consists of >60 partners from conservation organisations, voluntary bodies, local bodies, statutory bodies and interested individuals from across the county. Our focus is to provide a targeted and partnership-led approach to biodiversity conservation based upon best practice, local specialist knowledge and good science. We aim to raise awareness of local environmental issues provide integration between the national and local level, enabling local partners to see how they are contributing towards both local and national targets.

Mariposa aims to create edible gardens in Scotland and overseas for the benefit of the community and the natural environment. We collaborate with communities in need of restoration, reintegration and reengagement with the land, guiding and facilitating the formation of the gardens and the social structure of the garden working groups. Community participants gain valuable experience in the planning, organisation and execution of communal gardens for the purpose of facilitating the needs of the land and the community. The highly diverse, creative, flourishing gardens are sustainable solutions to society’s complex problems.

The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London (the others are the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum). Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 70 million items within five main collections: Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology. The museum is a world-renowned centre of research, specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation. Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Darwin. The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive book, journal, manuscript, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments. Find out more at: www.decadeonbiodiversity.net

Nature is delighted to present this biodiversity supplement for 2010, International Year of Biodiversity. As nations come together to reduce the alarming loss of species taking place worldwide, we hope that these features, opinion pieces, News & Views articles and original research papers will provide a useful snapshot of the problems faced and solutions proposed.

The council has its own Greenspace Service this service takes forward biodiversity projects to protect and enhance the local environment.

Key facts about North Lanarkshire

Based in the heart of Scotland, North Lanarkshire has a population of around 325,520 (GRO(S) 2008 mid-year population estimates) and covers one of the largest local council areas in the country. The central location, excellent transport links and natural scenic beauty ensure that the area is popular, both as an ideal location to set up home or business, or as a centre for the casual visitor or touring holidaymaker.

One Planet Pictures produced the excellent TV series “Nature Inc.” on BBC, which presents case studies and examples of the economic contribution of biodiversity. Episodes of the series will have run in 2009 and will be available for syndication. New episodes will also be available. Ways to extend the distribution of the series to Parties will be explored.

The impetus behind the River of Flowers, that aims to preserve and promote wildflowers in cities, is a community response to the threat to wildflower survival and continued loss of biodiversity. Our key activities are to plant and support the planting of urban meadows in ‘pollination streams’ to create a ‘river’ of native wildflowers and to map these new and existing urban meadows. River of Flowers seeks to challenge existing stereotypes of wildflowers, reframe the way that people see them and move people towards a better understanding of the role of wildflowers in cities, the natural world and human society.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class Herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction, was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009. Kew's second site, Wakehurst Place, is home to Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. RBG Kew and its partners have collected and conserved seed from 10 per cent of the world's wild flowering plant species (c.30, 000 species) and the aim is to conserve 25% by 2020.

ICRAN is an innovative and dynamic network of many of the world's leading coral reef science and conservation organisations. ICRAN was established in 2000 with a historic grant from the United Nations Foundation (UNF).

The Wildlife Trust - Making Birmingham and the Black Country a better place for wildlife and people

Founded in 1980 as the Urban Wildlife Group, in 1982 we became the first urban Wildlife Trust, one of 47 covering the whole UK, we have been working to make Birmingham and the Black Country a better place for wildlife and people. In total there are now 791,000 members of the Wildlife Trust in Britain. The Wildlife Trust is leading the way in adapting to climate change in urban areas, doing practical things now that will ensure that in the future we all, our children and our children’s children will be able to enjoy a wildlife rich, healthy environment into the future.

TRAFFIC has an enviable reputation as a reliable and impartial organization, a leader in the field of conservation as it relates to wildlife trade. TRAFFIC was established in 1976 and has developed into a global network, research-driven and action-oriented, committed to delivering innovative and practical conservation solutions based on the latest information. TRAFFIC is governed by the TRAFFIC Committee, a steering group composed of members of TRAFFIC's partner organizations, WWF and IUCN. A central aim of TRAFFIC's activities is to contribute to the wildlife trade-related priorities of these partners. TRAFFIC also works in close co-operation with the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust (WHG) is a national organisation campaigning to save historic gardens and parks from neglect, indifference, insensitive planning and planting for future generations.

Wales has many outstanding parks and gardens. However, some remain neglected, or unrecognised, yet they are as much a part of the Welsh heritage as the buildings or towns they were designed to complement.

The WHGT aims to conserve, protect and raise awareness of the heritage landscape and to promote the richness and cultural importance of these sites.

The WMBC has been serving birdwatchers and ornithologists in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and West Midlands Metropolitan County since 1929. Our mission is to bring together those with a common interest in wild birds and to encourage the study of these birds and the conservation of their habitats. We have a membership of almost 2,000. The Club leases and manages reserves at Belvide and Ladywalk, and operates permit schemes at Blithfield Reservoir, Gailey Reservoir and Harborne Nature Reserve. Other services include indoor meetings at branches in Birmingham, Kidderminster, Solihull, Stafford and Tamworth, regular field meetings and bulletins, and annual bird reports.

Making Birmingham and the Black Country a better place for wildlife and people

Recent years have seen huge changes in the landscape of Birmingham and the Black Country. Work to regenerate the area and revitalise its economy has brought many benefits and also created environmental challenges. Now climate change poses the biggest challenge that both wildlife and people have ever had to face in human history.

Founded in 1980 as the Urban Wildlife Group, in 1982 we became the first urban Wildlife Trust, one of 47 covering the whole UK, we have been working to make Birmingham and the Black Country a better place for wildlife and people. In total there are now 791,000 members of the Wildlife Trust in Britain. The Wildlife Trust is leading the way in adapting to climate change in urban areas, doing practical things now that will ensure that in the future we all, our children and our children’s children will be able to enjoy a wildlife rich, healthy environment into the future.

Wildscreen is a charity working globally to promote an appreciation of biodiversity and nature through the power of wildlife imagery. Wildscreen is uniquely positioned at the heart of the international wildlife and environmental media industry, and for 25 years we have been celebrating, applauding, gathering, protecting and sharing images of wild species and wild places.